Use of a Biometric Image for Authorization

ABSTRACT

A second user can authorize a first user to take or complete an online action by submitting one or more biometric images. For example, the second user can authorize a purchase by the first user on an online store. The second user can submit the one or more biometric images on the electronic device being used by the first user, or the second user can submit the biometric image or images remotely using another electronic device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electronic devices, and moreparticularly to a biometric sensing device included in, or connected toan electronic device. Still more particularly, the present inventionrelates to the use of one or more biometric images to authorize orpermit an action or task.

BACKGROUND

Passwords are a common security tool for applications, websites, anddevices. A user-entered password must match a reference password beforethe user is given access or allowed to interact with an application,website, or device. But passwords can have a number of limitations. Thenumber of characters that can be included in the password can be limitedto a maximum number, such as eight or twelve characters. Additionally, auser can be prohibited from using certain types of characters in theirpassword. For example, some passwords may not include symbols such as apound or hash symbol (#), an exclamation sign (!), and a percent sign(%). Randomly generated passwords can be more secure than passwordsselected by a user, but randomly generated passwords can be difficult toremember. Some users therefore select less secure passwords that areeasier to remember. For example, a password that includes a completeword, the user's birthday, or a company name may be easier to rememberbut such passwords can be easier to guess or discover.

The use of biometric data can provide a greater level of security to adevice or application compared to passwords. Biometric sensing devicescan detect or image a unique physical or behavioral trait of a personand produce biometric data that can reliably identify the person. Forexample, a fingerprint includes a unique pattern of ridges and valleysthat can be imaged by a fingerprint sensing device. The image of thefingerprint, or the unique characteristics of the fingerprint, iscompared to previously captured reference data, such as a referencefingerprint image. The identity of the person is obtained or verifiedwhen the newly captured fingerprint image matches the referencefingerprint image.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method for a first user to complete a purchase on anonline store can include receiving a first biometric image from a seconduser and countersigning an online account token that is associated withan account of the first user on the online store. The account token canbe countersigned with user identifier data. The account token can becountersigned when the first biometric image received from the seconduser matches a first reference biometric image associated with thesecond user. The countersigned online account token indicates thepurchase on the online store can be completed. The countersigned accounttoken can then be transmitted to the online store. In some embodiments,the user identifier data may include a universally unique identifierthat is associated with the first biometric image, a directory servicesidentification (DSID) that represents an account of the first user onthe online store, and/or a universally unique identifier that isassociated with the second biometric image. In one embodiment,authorization is needed when the purchase amount exceeds a specifiedmonetary limit. In another embodiment, the authorization can alsoauthorize the first user to spend a specified amount of money.

In another aspect, a system can include a processing device and abiometric sensing device operatively connected to the processing device.The processing device can be adapted to determine if authorization froma second user is needed before a first user can complete a purchase onan online store. The processing device can be adapted to countersign anaccount token when a first biometric image received from the second usermatches a first reference biometric image associated with the seconduser, where the countersigned online account token indicates thepurchase on the online store can be completed. The first biometric imagecan be obtained from the second user using the same electronic device asfirst user is using to submit the purchase. Alternatively, the firstbiometric image can be obtained remotely from the second user using adifferent electronic device. The countersigned account token can then betransmitted to the online store.

In another aspect, a method for a first user to complete a purchase onan online store may include receiving a first biometric image from thefirst user and determining if the purchase by the first user requiresauthorization from a second user. If authorization is needed, anotification can be provided to the second user. A second biometricimage can be received from the second user based on the notification. Anonline account token that is associated with an account of the firstuser on the online store can be countersigned with user identifier datawhen an identity of the first user and/or an identity of the second useris confirmed based on the first and second biometric images, where thecountersigned online account token indicates the purchase on the onlinestore can be completed. In some embodiments, the notification caninclude an identity of the online store, a monetary amount of thepurchase on the online store, an input that permits the second user tolimit an amount of money the first user can spend in the purchase,and/or an input that permits the second user to limit an amount of timethe first user can spend on the online store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily toscale relative to each other. Identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical features that are common tothe figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example electronic device that caninclude a fingerprint sensing device;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative block diagram of the electronic device 100shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged and simplified cross-section view of aportion of a fingerprint sensing device taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4; is a flowchart of a method for setting up a biometric sensingdevice for use in online commerce;

FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram of the method shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for a first user to purchase from anonline store;

FIG. 7 is a data flow diagram of the method shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for a second user to authorize a firstuser to complete an action;

FIGS. 9A-9B is a flowchart of a method for a second user to authorize afirst user to complete an action;

FIG. 10 is a data flow diagram of the method shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for a second user to permit a firstuser to spend a given amount of money;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example notification that is suitable for use inblock 1104 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for obtaining authorization from asecond user remotely;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method for permitting a guest or authorizeduser to access to an electronic device; and

FIG. 15 depicts an example guest or user profile that is suitable foruse in blocks 1402 and 1404 of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein can permit a second user to authorize afirst user to take or complete an action through the use of biometricdata. As one example, a second user can authorize a first user tocomplete a purchase on an online store. The authorization can alsopermit the user to spend a given amount of money in one or moretransactions and/or over a prescribed period of time. The first user cansubmit one or more biometric images to initiate the purchase, and theonline store can transmit an online account token to an electronicdevice and/or to a biometric sensing device after the user successfullyenters his or her account password. The electronic device or thebiometric sensing device can countersign the online account token whenthe one or more biometric images match reference biometric images andthe account password matches user identifier data stored in theelectronic device or in the biometric sensing device. The countersignedonline account token can then be transmitted to the online store.

The second user can be required to submit his or her biometric image toauthorize the purchase on the online store. In some embodiments, thebiometric image must be received from the second user within a specifiedperiod of time after the first user submits his or her purchase request.In one embodiment, a countersigned online account token can betransmitted to the online store after the biometric image is receivedfrom the second user and the identity of the second user is verified.The first user may then be allowed to complete one or more purchasesafter the online store receives the countersigned online account token.

In some embodiments, the second user can provide authorization remotely.For example, a first user can initiate an action that requiresauthorization on a first device. A notification regarding the need forauthorization can be provided to the first user on the first device andto the second user on a second device. The second user can submit one ormore biometric images on the second device as part of the authorizationprocess. If the identity of the second user is authenticated using theone or more biometric images, the first user may be allowed to completethe action on the first device.

In some embodiments, an owner of an electronic device can establish orenable a guest mode in the electronic device. Guest mode can permit aguest user to access certain functions and applications when the guestuser is temporarily using the electronic device. For example, a person(i.e., guest user) can ask to use a friend's smart telephone to make acall, send a text, or check a website or email. When the device ownerhas enabled the guest mode, the guest user can access some, but not allof the functions and applications in the electronic device. Anelectronic device owner can specify which applications and functions aguest user can access and/or may specify the maximum amount of time theguest user has to use the electronic device.

In some embodiments, an owner of an electronic device can create a userprofile. A user profile is similar to the guest mode, but can providethe guest user with access to a greater number of functions andapplications, and/or can allow the device owner to customize theapplications and functions accessible by each guest user. For example, aguest user A may be allowed to send text messages and access the web toview websites while a guest user B can access the web to view websitesand make purchases on online stores, make telephone calls (when theelectronic device is a smart telephone), and take photos. The ability toview photos, modify a Wi-Fi connection, activate airplane mode, set thealarm clock, and read texts and emails can be denied to one or bothguest users.

Any suitable type of biometric sensing device can be included in, orconnected to an electronic device. A person's fingerprint, eye, DNA,vein patterns, typing speed or patterns, gait, voice, face, and heart orbrain signals are examples of a physical characteristic or a behavioraltrait that can be detected or imaged by a biometric sensing device. Abiometric sensing device can employ capacitance, ultrasonic, optical,resistive, thermal, or other sensing technologies to detect or image abiometric attribute. The term “biometric attribute” is meant toencompass a physical or behavioral trait that can be detected by abiometric sensing device.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of oneexample of an electronic device that can include, or be connected to abiometric sensing device. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronicdevice 100 is implemented as a smart telephone. Other embodiments canimplement the electronic device differently, such as, for example, as alaptop or desktop computer, a tablet computing device, a gaming device,a display, a digital music player, a wearable computing device ordisplay such as a watch or glasses, and other types of electronicdevices that can receive biometric data from a biometric sensing device.

The electronic device 100 includes an enclosure 102 at least partiallysurrounding a display 104 and one or more buttons 106 or input devices.The enclosure 102 can form an outer surface or partial outer surface andprotective case for the internal components of the electronic device100, and may at least partially surround the display 104. The enclosure102 can be formed of one or more components operably connected together,such as a front piece and a back piece. Alternatively, the enclosure 102can be formed of a single piece operably connected to the display 104.

The display 104 can be implemented with any suitable technology,including, but not limited to, a multi-touch sensing touchscreen thatuses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED)technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organicelectroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of displaytechnology. The button 106 can take the form of a home button, which maybe a mechanical button, a soft button (e.g., a button that does notphysically move but still accepts inputs), an icon or image on adisplay, and so on. Further, in some embodiments, the button 106 can beintegrated as part of a cover glass of the electronic device.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative block diagram of the electronic device 100shown in FIG. 1. The electronic device 100 can include the display 104,a processing device 200, memory 202, an input/output (I/O) device 204, asensor 206, a power source 208, a network communications interface 210,and a biometric sensing device 212. The display 104 may display an imageor video output for the electronic device 100. The display may alsoprovide an input region for one or more input devices, such as, forexample, a touch sensing device and/or a fingerprint sensing device. Thedisplay 104 may be substantially any size and may be positionedsubstantially anywhere on the electronic device 104.

The processing device 200 can control some or all of the operations ofthe electronic device 100. The processing device 200 can communicate,either directly or indirectly, with substantially all of the componentsof the electronic device 100. For example, a system bus or signal line214 or other communication mechanisms can provide communication betweenthe processing device 200, the memory 202, the I/O device 204, thesensor 206, the power source 208, the network communications interface210, and/or the biometric sensing device 212. The processing device 200can be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing,receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, theprocessing device 200 can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit(CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. As describedherein, the term “processing device” is meant to encompass a singleprocessor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processingunits, or other suitably configured computing element or elements.

The memory 202 can store electronic data that can be used by theelectronic device 100. For example, a memory can store electrical dataor content such as, for example, audio and video files, documents andapplications, device settings and user preferences, timing signals,biometric images, data structures or databases, and so on. The memory202 can be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, thememory can be implemented as random access memory, read-only memory,Flash memory, removable memory, or other types of storage elements, orcombinations of such devices.

The I/O device 204 can transmit and/or receive data to and from a useror another electronic device. One example of an I/O device is button 106in FIG. 1. The I/O device(s) 204 can include a display, a touch sensinginput surface such as a trackpad, one or more buttons, one or moremicrophones or speakers, one or more ports such as a microphone port,and/or a keyboard.

The electronic device 100 may also include one or more sensors 206positioned substantially anywhere on the electronic device 100. Thesensor or sensors 206 may be configured to sense substantially any typeof characteristic, such as but not limited to, images, pressure, light,touch, heat, movement, relative motion, biometric data, and so on. Forexample, the sensor(s) 208 may be an image sensor, a heat sensor, alight or optical sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure transducer, agyroscope, a magnet, a health monitoring sensor, and so on.

The power source 208 can be implemented with any device capable ofproviding energy to the electronic device 100. For example, the powersource 208 can be one or more batteries or rechargeable batteries, or aconnection cable that connects the remote control device to anotherpower source such as a wall outlet.

The network communication interface 210 can facilitate transmission ofdata to or from other electronic devices. For example, a networkcommunication interface can transmit electronic signals via a wirelessand/or wired network connection. Examples of wireless and wired networkconnections include, but are not limited to, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,IR, and Ethernet.

The biometric sensing device 212 can be implemented as any suitablebiometric sensor, scanner, and/or system. For example, the biometricsensing device can be a facial recognition device, an iris or retinascanner, a vein recognition device that can image the veins in a fingeror palm, a facial biometrics scanner, and/or a thermal imaging scanner.Additionally, the biometric sensing device 212 can be implemented withany suitable sensing technology, including, but not limited to,capacitive, resistive, ultrasound, piezoelectric, and thermal sensingtechnology. A biometric sensing device can capture one or more biometricimages of a biometric attribute.

The biometric sensing device 212 can be connected to a secure processingsystem 216. The secure processing system can be included in theelectronic device or in the biometric sensing device. The secureprocessing system 216 can receive biometric images captured by thebiometric sensing device. The secure processing system 216 generally canbe used to store and manipulate secure data, including the biometricimages, reference biometric images, and user identifier data associatedwith a user and his or her online account for an online store. Theprocessing device 200 can be prohibited from accessing the secure dataand the biometric images received from the biometric sensing device,which increases the security of the data and biometric images. Forexample, the secure data and biometric images are inaccessible or lessaccessible to other programs that may be running on the processingdevice 200.

In one embodiment, the secure processing system can include a secureprocessing device, a secure persistent memory, and a securenon-persistent memory. Any suitable processing device and memory can beused in the secure processing system 216. Other components can beincluded in the secure processing system in some embodiments.Additionally or alternatively, a secure processing system can includeonly one memory. The secure processing system 216 is described in moredetail in conjunction with FIGS. 5, 7 and 10.

It should be noted that FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrative only. In otherexamples, an electronic device may include fewer or more components thanthose shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In embodiments described herein, the biometric sensing device includesone or more fingerprint sensing devices. A fingerprint sensing devicecan capture images one or more fingers, a portion of one or morefingers, and/or some or all of a palm or of a hand. In some embodiments,the fingerprint sensing device is positioned at a location that a user'sfinger, fingers and/or hands are naturally in contact with as the userinteracts with the electronic device. For example, an electronic devicecan include a fingerprint sensing device in the display 104, the button106, the enclosure 102, and/or as a separate electronic device that isconnected to the electronic device 100.

The construction of an illustrative capacitive fingerprint sensingdevice and the operation of the capacitive fingerprint sensing devicewill now be described briefly. FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged andsimplified cross-section view of a portion of a fingerprint sensingdevice taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1. A first layer 310 can be disposedover a dielectric layer 320. By way of example only, the first layer 310can be a dielectric layer such as an exterior surface of a button orother input device (e.g., button 106 in FIG. 1), an exterior surface ofan input device such as a trackpad or mouse, and/or a cover glass of adisplay (e.g., display 104 in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, thedielectric layer 320 can be a color layer that can be used to reduce thevisibility of the electrodes and other circuitry of the fingerprintsensing device.

The capacitive fingerprint sensing device 300 can capture a fingerprintimage of at least a portion of the finger 302 by measuring capacitancedifferences between the finger 302 and the electrodes 314. A fingerprintis generally formed from ridges 304 and valleys 306 arranged in a uniquepattern. Typically, the capacitance measured between a ridge 304 and oneor more electrodes 314 varies from the capacitance measured between avalley 306 and one or more electrodes 314. The measured capacitancebetween a ridge and an electrode can be greater than the measuredcapacitance between a valley and an electrode because the ridge iscloser to the electrode. The differences in the measured capacitancescan be used to distinguish between ridges and valleys and produce afingerprint image.

The skin on the finger 302 includes a dead skin layer 316 disposed overa live skin layer 318. The capacitive fingerprint sensing device 300typically images the dead skin layer 316 to obtain an image of thefingerprint. However, if a portion of the dead skin layer 316 is damagedor missing, the capacitive fingerprint sensing device can obtain animage of the fingerprint by imaging the live skin layer 318 by itself,or by imaging both the remaining dead skin layer 316 and the exposedlive skin layer 318.

Embodiments described herein can permit a second user to authorize afirst user to take or complete an action. As one example, a second usercan authorize a first user to complete a purchase on an online store.FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for setting up a fingerprint sensingdevice for use in online commerce. FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram of themethod shown in FIG. 4. Initially, an account password is received afterbeing entered on an electronic device by a user (block 400). The accountpassword can be associated with an online store in one embodiment. Theaccount password can be entered through a dialog box in a userinterface. In one embodiment, the account password can be transmitted toan online payment service to match with an account in the online store(see step 500 in FIG. 5). The online store and the online paymentservice can each be implemented on one or more computing devices, suchas servers. A determination can then be made at block 402 as to whetherthe entered account password matches the password associated with theonline account. If not, the method ends.

When the entered account password matches the account password, theprocess continues at block 404 where an online account token is receivedfrom the online payment service (step 502 in FIG. 5). A determinationcan then be made at block 406 as to whether the fingerprint sensingdevice is to be used with the online store. As one example, a user canbe prompted to approve or reject the use of the fingerprint sensingdevice with a dialog box or menu. The method ends if the user does notuse the fingerprint sensing device in conjunction with online commerce.

When the fingerprint sensing device is to be used, the method continuesat block 408 where a user can set a passcode for the fingerprint sensingdevice. A fingerprint enrollment process can then be performed with thefingerprint sensing device at block 410. Generally, an enrollmentprocess can include capturing one or more fingerprint images and storingat least one of the fingerprint images in memory. At least one of thefingerprint images entered during the enrollment process can be used asa reference fingerprint image.

A determination can then be made at block 412 as to whether or not thefingerprint sensing device is to be used for purchases from the onlinestore. As one example, a user can be prompted to approve or reject theuse of the fingerprint sensing device with a dialog box or menu. Themethod ends if the fingerprint sensing device will not be used to makepurchases on the online store.

When the fingerprint sensing device will be used to make purchases, theprocess passes to block 414 where the online account token and useridentifier data are transmitted to a secure processing system (e.g., 216in FIG. 2) in the electronic device (step 506 in FIG. 5). In oneembodiment, the user identifier data can associate or map the passcodefor the fingerprint sensing device to the online store account. The useridentifier data can include the passcode set at block 408, a universallyunique identifier (UUID) associated with the fingerprint sensing device,and a data set identification (DSID) associated with the online store.In some embodiments, a hash of the DSID is included in the useridentifier data instead of the DSID. Other types of user identifier datacan be used in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the secure processing system 216 can include anon-persistent secure memory and a persistent secure memory. The onlineaccount token can be transmitted to the secure processing system 216 andstored in the non-persistent secure memory. Thus, the online accounttoken may be cleared automatically from the non-persistent secure memoryeach time the non-persistent memory loses power, such as when theelectronic device is turned off. The user identifier data can betransmitted to the secure processing system 216 and stored in thepersistent secure memory. Additionally, reference fingerprint images canbe stored in the persistent secure memory in some embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a flowchart of a method for afirst user to purchase from an online store. FIG. 7 is a data flowdiagram of the method shown in FIG. 6. Initially, as shown in block 600,a determination can be made as to whether the fingerprint sensing deviceis to be used to complete a purchase from the online store (block 600).If so, the process continues at block 602 where a fingerprint image canbe captured and transmitted to a processing system (step 700 in FIG. 7).The processing system can be a secure processing system in someembodiments. A determination can then be made at block 604 as to whetherthe reference fingerprint image has expired. In some embodiments, a usercan set an expiration date for his or her reference fingerprint image.The user can allow the reference fingerprint image or images to be usedonly for a set period of time. After the reference fingerprint imageexpires, a user can perform another enrollment process to create anotherreference fingerprint image.

The method ends if the reference fingerprint image has expired. When thereference fingerprint image has not expired, the method passes to block606 where a determination is made as to whether the fingerprint imagereceived at block 602 matches the reference fingerprint image. Themethod ends if the entered fingerprint image does not match thereference fingerprint image. When the fingerprint image matches thereference fingerprint image, the process continues at block 608 where auser can now complete the purchase on the online store. A purchase canbe completed by having a processing device (e.g., secure processingdevice) countersign the online account token stored in the first securememory and transmit the countersigned online account token to the onlinestore. The countersigned online account token can indicate thefingerprint image matched the reference fingerprint image. Thecountersigned online account token can indicate the user is permitted tomake one or more purchases on the online store.

In one embodiment, the secure processing device can countersign theonline account token with the hash of the DSID and transmit thecountersigned online account token to the online store (step 702 in FIG.7). The online store can then transmit the countersigned online accounttoken to the online payment service (step 704). The online paymentservice can verify the online account token is countersigned, completepayment for the purchase, and then transmit a purchase confirmationnotification to the online store (step 706). The secure processingdevice can countersign and transmit the online account token immediatelyafter the fingerprint image matches the reference fingerprint image.Alternatively, the online account token can be countersigned in advancebut not transmitted to the online store until after the fingerprintimage matches the reference fingerprint image.

In some embodiments, a window of time can be set in which a user canmake purchases repeatedly without having to reenter a fingerprint image.The online account token can include a timestamp that indicates a starttime for the window. As one example, when the fingerprint image matchesthe reference fingerprint image at block 606, a fifteen minute windowcan be created where a user can make multiple purchases. The window canthen close after fifteen minutes and the user will have to re-enter hisor her fingerprint image to complete any other purchases.

In some embodiments, the ability of a first user to complete a purchasecan be constrained in some manner and authorization from a second userrequired to complete the purchase. For example, a first user can belimited in the amount of money he or she can spend, and/or a user can belimited in the online stores he or she can purchase from and/or in thetype of content or product he or she can purchase. As one example, aparent can limit the amount of money a child can spend in each purchase,and/or a parent can limit a total amount of money a child may spend in agiven period of time. As another example, a parent can limit purchasesto only pre-approved online stores. Additionally or alternatively, aparent can control the type of content or products a child can purchasefrom an online store. The restrictions and/or approvals can be made viaa preferences menu associated with an online account on the onlinestore, and/or through a preferences menu associated with the fingerprintsensing device.

When a restricted first user initiates a purchase on an online store, asecond user can be required to submit his or her fingerprint image toauthorize the purchase. The second user can be designated as a seconduser who can authorize the purchases of the restricted first userthrough the preferences menu for the online account and/or thepreferences menu for the fingerprint sensing device. In someembodiments, the fingerprint image must be received from the second userwithin a specified period of time. A countersigned online account tokencan be transmitted to the online store after the fingerprint image isreceived from the second user and the identity of the second user isverified. The first user can then complete one or more purchases afterthe online store receives the countersigned online account token.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for a second user to authorize a firstuser to complete an action. In some embodiments, one or more fingerprintimages can be received in conjunction with an action the first userwants to perform or complete online. For example, the first user maywant to complete a purchase from an online store and/or may want toaccess a website or application (e.g., part of a sign-in or loginprocess for the website or application).

Initially, as shown in block 800, a fingerprint image is received fromthe first user. The fingerprint image can be received by a processingdevice, such as a secure processing device. A determination can then bemade as to whether or not the identity of the first user isauthenticated using the fingerprint image. If not, the process passes toblock 804 where an appropriate notification is provided to the firstuser. As one example, a notification regarding the failed authentication(e.g., a failed match) can be displayed to the first user. The methodcan then end after the notification is provided to the first user.

When the identity of the first user is authenticated, the methodcontinues at block 806 where a determination can be made as to whetheror not the action the first user is attempting to take or completerequires authorization from a second user. If authorization is notneeded from a second user, the method passes to block 808 where thefirst user can complete the desired action. For example, the first usercan complete a purchase or access an online store or application.

When authorization is needed from a second user, the method continues atblock 810 where a notification can be provided to the first user and/orthe second user regarding the need to obtain authorization from thesecond user. In one embodiment, the notification can be displayed to thefirst user and/or the second user. In another embodiment, thenotification can be provided via a visual (e.g., text message) or audioalert. A determination can then be made at block 812 as to whether ornot a fingerprint image is received from the second user. In someembodiments, the authorization fails if the fingerprint image is notreceived within a given time period.

When a fingerprint image is not received, the process passes to block804 where an appropriate notification can be provided to the first user,and to the second user if desired. When a fingerprint image is obtainedfrom the second user, the method can continue at block 814 where adetermination is made as to whether or not the identity of the seconduser is authenticated based on the fingerprint image. If not, theprocess passes to block 804. When the identity of the second user isauthenticated, the first user can complete the action at block 808 andthe method ends.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9B, there is shown a flowchart of anothermethod for a second user to authorize a first user to complete anaction. FIG. 10 is a data flow diagram of the method shown in FIG. 9.The illustrated embodiment requires a fingerprint image be received froma second user to authorize a purchase that meets or exceeds a maximumamount. Additionally or alternatively, other embodiments can require afingerprint image be received from a second user to authorize a purchasewhen the online store is not a pre-approved online store, or thepurchase is for non-approved content.

Initially, a first fingerprint image can be received by a processingdevice at block 900 (step 1000 in FIG. 10). In some embodiments, theprocessing device is a secure processing device. The first fingerprintimage can be entered by a first user when the first user wants tocomplete a purchase on the online store. A determination can then bemade at block 902 as to whether the first fingerprint image matches afirst reference fingerprint image for the first user. If not, theprocess passes to block 904 where an appropriate notification can beprovided to the first user. As one example, a notification regarding thefailed match can be displayed to the first user and, if desired, to thesecond user. The method can then end after the notification is providedto the first user.

When the first fingerprint image matches the first reference fingerprintimage, the method continues at block 906 where a determination is madeas to whether the first user is a restricted user. By way of exampleonly, a first online account token can indicate if the first user is arestricted user and the types of restrictions. If the first user is nota restricted user, the process passes to block 908 where the first usercan complete the desired action. For example, the first user canpurchase from the online store and/or access content or applications. Insome embodiments, a purchase can be completed by having a processingdevice countersign the first online account token and transmit thecountersigned online account token to the online store. Thecountersigned online account token can indicate the user is permitted tomake one or more purchases on the online store. The method can end afterblock 908.

As described earlier, in one embodiment a secure processing device cancountersign the first online account token associated with the firstuser with a hash of the DSID associated with the online store andtransmit the countersigned first online account token to the onlinestore (step 1002 in FIG. 10). The online store can then transmit thecountersigned online account token to the online payment service (step1004). The online payment service can verify the online account token iscountersigned, complete payment for the purchase, and then transmit apurchase confirmation notification to the online store (step 1006). Likethe embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the secure processing device cancountersign and transmit the online account token immediately after thebiometric image matches the reference biometric image. Alternatively,the online account token can be countersigned in advance but nottransmitted to the online store until after the biometric image matchesthe reference biometric image.

When the first user is a restricted user at block 906, the methodcontinues at block 910 where a determination is made as to whether thefirst user is purchasing from a permitted online store or is purchasingallowed content. As described earlier, a restricted user can be limitedto purchasing only from select pre-approved online stores and/orapproved content. If the first user is purchasing from a permittedonline store or purchasing approved content, the method continues atblock 912 where a determination can be made as to whether or not theamount of the purchase equals or exceeds a predetermined maximum amountof money. The predetermined maximum amount of money can apply to asingle purchase in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the maximumamount can apply to a total amount of all purchases made within aspecific time period. As one example, a user can be limited to a totalamount of twenty dollars within a twenty-four hour period of time.

If the amount of the purchase does not equal or exceed the maximumamount, the process passes to block 908 where the first user cancomplete the purchase on the online store. The purchase can be completedby having a processing device transmit a countersigned online accounttoken associated with the first user to the online store. Thecountersigned online account token can indicate the user is permitted tomake one or more purchases on the online store. In one embodiment, thepurchase can be completed as described previously with reference toblock 908.

When the purchase amount equals or exceeds the predetermined maximumlimit, or if the first user is attempting to purchase from anon-approved online store or trying to purchase non-approved content atblock 910, the method continues at block 914 where a notification isdisplayed to the first user informing the first user of the need toobtain authorization for the purchase based on the purchase amount orpurchase site and/or content. In one embodiment, the authorization canbe provided by a second user specified in the first online account tokenassociated with the first user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second user can provide authorizationby submitting his or her fingerprint image (step 1008 in FIG. 10). Adetermination can be made at block 916 as to whether the secondfingerprint image is received within a given time period. If not, theprocess passes to block 904 where an appropriate notification isprovided to the first user or to the first and second users.

When the second fingerprint image associated with the second user isreceived within the given time period, the method continues at block 918where a determination is made as to whether the second fingerprint imagereceived at block 916 matches a second reference fingerprint imageassociated with the second user. If not, the process passes to block 904where an appropriate notification is displayed to the user(s).

When the entered second fingerprint image matches the second referencefingerprint image, the method continues at block 908 where the firstuser can complete the purchase on the online store. In one embodiment,the purchase can be completed by having a processing device countersignthe first online account token associated with the first user andtransmit the countersigned online account token to the online store. Thecountersigned online account token can indicate the purchase has beenauthorized and the user may complete the purchase on the online store.In one embodiment, a secure processing device can countersign the firstonline account token associated with the first user with the hash of theDSID associated with the online store and transmit the countersignedfirst online account token to the online store (step 1002 in FIG. 10).

In another embodiment, the purchase can be completed by having a secureprocessing device countersign both the first online account tokenassociated with the first user and a second online account tokenassociated with the second user with the hash of the DSID associatedwith the online store and transmit the countersigned first and secondonline account tokens to the online store (step 1010 in FIG. 10).

The online store can then transmit the countersigned first onlineaccount token, or the countersigned first and second online accounttokens, to the online payment service (step 1004). The online paymentservice can verify the appropriate online account token or tokens iscountersigned, complete payment for the purchase, and then transmit apurchase confirmation notification to the online store (step 1006).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for a second user to permit a firstuser to spend a given amount of money. Initially, a fingerprint image isreceived from a first user at block 1100. The fingerprint image can bereceived by a processing device, such as a secure processing device. Adetermination can then be made at block 1102 as to whether or not theidentity of the first user is authenticated based on the fingerprintimage. If not, the method ends. When the identity of the first user isauthenticated, the method continues at block 1104 where a notificationis provided to the second user to obtain authorization from the seconduser. The notification can be displayed to the second user, or can takethe form of a visual or audio alert.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example notification that can be displayed to thesecond user. A first window 1200 can inform the second user of thepurchase the first user is attempting to complete and requestauthorization that can allow the first user to complete the purchase.Radio buttons can allow the second user to select “yes” or “no”. If thesecond user selects “yes”, a second window 1202 may be displayed thatallows the second user to authorize the first user to spend a givenamount of money. If the second user wants to provide such authorization,the second user can select the “yes” radio button and specify the amountof money with the drop-down list. Other embodiments can allow the seconduser to provide authorization differently. For example, the second usercan receive a text message and respond with another text message. Theresponse can include the word “yes” or “no” for authorization of thepurchase, and if desired, may include a number representing the amountof money the first user is authorized to spend.

In some embodiments, the authorization provided by the second user canalso limit the amount of time the first user can spend on the onlinestore or website. A third window 1204 can be displayed that allows thesecond user to limit or not limit the amount of time using radiobuttons. If the second user limits the amount of time, a drop-down menucan allow the user to specify the amount of time. Additionally oralternatively, at least one of the windows 1200, 1202, 1204, or a newwindow, can notify the second user of the need to submit one or morefingerprints to authorize the purchase.

Returning to block 1106 in FIG. 11, a determination can be made as towhether or not a fingerprint image is received from the second user. Insome embodiments, the authorization fails if the fingerprint image isnot received within a given time period. If a fingerprint image is notreceived from the second user, or not received within the given timeperiod, the method can end. When a fingerprint image is received fromthe second user, the method can continue at block 1108 where adetermination is made as to whether or not the identity of the seconduser is authenticated based on the fingerprint image. If not, the methodends. When the identity of the second user is authenticated, the methodcontinues at block 1110 where the first user is now authorized to spenda specified amount of money. The specified amount of money can beauthorized for a single purchase, for a given number of purchases,and/or for a given period of time.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown a flowchart of a method forobtaining authorization from a second user remotely. A website orapplication can receive an authentication request from a first device atblock 1300. For example, a first user may wish to complete a purchase onan online store using a tablet computing device. A determination canthen be made at block 1302 as to whether or not the identity of therequestor (e.g., a first user) is authenticated. If not, the methodends.

When authentication of the first user is successful, the processcontinues at block 1304 where a notification is provided to a seconddevice requesting authorization for the action the first user wishes tocomplete. For example, a notification can be displayed on the seconduser's smart telephone. The notification can include a request for thesecond user to submit his or her fingerprint image. By way of exampleonly, the notification can be configured similar to at least one of thenotifications shown in FIG. 12.

A determination can then be made at block 1306 as to whether or not afingerprint image is received from the second user. The method ends if afingerprint image is not received. When a fingerprint image is received,the method passes to block 1308 where a determination is made as towhether or not the identity of the second user is authenticated based onthe fingerprint image. If not, the method ends. When the authenticationis successful, the process continues at block 1310 where the first usercan complete the desired action on the first device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method for permitting a guest user to accessto an electronic device. The guest user is an enrolled guest user in oneembodiment. In other words, the guest user has performed an enrollmentprocess that captures one or more fingerprint images prior to theperformance of the method shown in FIG. 14. At least one of thefingerprint images entered during the enrollment process by the guestuser can be used as a reference fingerprint image.

Initially, as shown in block 1400, a request for authentication isreceived from a guest user. As part of the request, the guest usersubmits his or her fingerprint image. A determination can then be madeat block 1402 as to whether or not the owner of the device has enabled aguest mode. Guest mode can permit a guest user to access certainfunctions and applications when the guest user is temporarily using anelectronic device that belongs to another person. For example, a person(i.e., guest user) can ask to use a friend's smart telephone to make acall, send a text, or check a website or email. When the device ownerhas enabled the guest mode, the guest user can access some, but not allof the functions and applications in the electronic device. A deviceowner can specify which applications and functions a guest user canaccess and/or may specify the maximum amount of time the guest user hasto use the electronic device.

If guest mode is enabled, the process passes to block 1404 where adetermination can be made as to whether or not the identity of the guestuser can be authenticated. If not, the method ends. When the identity ofthe guest user can be authenticated, the method continues at block 1406where the guest user can access the electronic device as specified bythe owner. The method can then end, as shown in FIG. 14.

Returning to block 1402, when the guest mode is not enabled, the processpasses to block 1408 where a determination can be made as to whether ornot the device owner has created a user profile for the guest user. Auser profile is similar to the guest mode, but can allow the guest userto access a greater number of functions and applications, and/or allow adevice owner to customize the applications and functions accessible byeach guest user. For example, a guest user A may be allowed to send textmessages and access the web to view websites, while a guest user B canaccess the web to view websites and make purchases on online stores,make telephone calls (when the electronic device is a smart telephone),and take photos. The ability to view photos, change Wi-Fi connections,activate airplane mode, set the alarm clock, and read texts and emailscan be denied to one or both guest users through respective userprofiles.

The method ends if a user profile has not been created. When an ownerhas created a user profile for the guest user, the method continues atblock 1404 where a determination can be made as to whether or not theidentity of the guest user can be authenticated. If not, the methodends. When the identity of the guest user can be authenticated, themethod continues at block 1406 where the guest user can access theelectronic device as specified by the owner.

An electronic device owner can enable guest mode and/or create a userprofile in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, a control panel or menucan be used by a device owner to enable guest mode and/or to create auser profile. FIG. 15 illustrates one example of a menu 1500 that can beused to specify which functions and/or applications a guest user canaccess and not access. In the illustrated embodiment, radio buttons 1502allow the device owner to provide access to Function 1 and Application 2for the guest mode and/or for the user profile, but deny access toFunction 2 and Application 1. Additionally, the toggle switch 1504 anddrop-down menu 1506 can allow the electronic device owner to limit orspecify the amount of time the guest user is allowed to use theelectronic device.

A device owner can create a customized user profile for one or moreguest users. For example, a device owner can create a user profile forclose friends, children, or business associates. Alternatively, anemployer can create user profiles that are specific to certainemployees.

Additionally or alternatively, a device owner can create a guest modeprofile that can be used for multiple guest users. In one embodiment,the guest mode profile can act as a generic user profile that applies toguest users temporarily using an electronic device.

The methods shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 9A-9B, 11, 13, and 14 have beendescribed with reference to a single biometric (fingerprint) image, butthose skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments can useone or more biometric images. In some embodiments, a user can determinea level of security when accessing the online store with an electronicdevice. For example, a user can require that a sequence of fingerprintimages be captured and matched to a sequence of reference fingerprintimages before the user can access and/or make purchases on the onlinestore. The user can specify the number of fingerprint images in thesequence, which fingerprints are included in the sequence, and/or theorder of the fingerprint images in the sequence. For example, a user canrequire that two fingerprint images be captured before a setting ischanged, and the fingerprints to be scanned along with the order of thescans are the right index finger and the left ring finger.

Additionally, a user can require a password be entered and matched to areference password. Access to the online store is provided only when afingerprint image or a sequence of fingerprint images matches respectivereference fingerprint images and only after the password matches thereference password.

The embodiments herein have been described with reference to afingerprint sensing device and fingerprint images. Other embodiments,however, are not limited to a fingerprint sensing device and fingerprintimages. Any suitable type of biometric sensing device can be used todetect or acquire images of a biometric attribute.

Various embodiments have been described in detail with particularreference to certain features thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the disclosure. And even though specific embodiments have beendescribed herein, it should be noted that the application is not limitedto these embodiments. In particular, any features described with respectto one embodiment may also be used in other embodiments, wherecompatible. Likewise, the features of the different embodiments may beexchanged, where compatible.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for a first user to complete a purchase onan online store, the method comprising: receiving, from a fingerprintsensing device, a first fingerprint image associated with a second userto authorize the purchase on the online store by the first user;countersigning, by a processing device, an online account token withuser identifier data when the first fingerprint image matches a firstreference fingerprint image associated with the second user, wherein theonline account token is associated with an account of the first user onthe online store and the countersigned online account token indicatesthe purchase on the online store is to be completed; and transmittingthe countersigned account token to the online store.
 22. The method asin claim 21, further comprising: prior to countersigning the onlineaccount token, determining if a second fingerprint image associated withthe first user matches a second reference fingerprint image associatedwith the first user.
 23. The method as in claim 21, prior to receivingthe first fingerprint image associated with the second user, providing anotification regarding the need to authorize the purchase on the onlinestore.
 24. The method as in claim 23, wherein the notification comprisesan identity of the online store.
 25. The method as in claim 23, whereinthe notification comprises a monetary amount of the purchase on theonline store.
 26. The method as in claim 23, wherein the notification isconfigured to permit the second user to limit an amount of money thefirst user can spend in the purchase.
 27. The method as in claim 23,wherein the notification is configured to permit the second user tolimit an amount of time the first user can spend on the online store.28. The method as in claim 23, wherein the notification comprises anidentity of a content of the purchase on the online store.
 29. Themethod as in claim 23, further comprising the first user submitting thepurchase on the online store on a first electronic device.
 30. Themethod as in claim 29, wherein providing the notification regarding theneed to authorize the purchase on the online store comprises providingthe notification regarding the need to authorize the purchase on theonline store on a second electronic device.
 31. The method as in claim21, wherein the user identifier data comprises a universally uniqueidentifier associated with the fingerprint sensing device.
 32. Themethod as in claim 21, wherein the user identifier data comprises adirectory services identification associated with the online store. 33.A system, comprising: a processing device; a memory operativelyconnected to the processing device, wherein the memory is configured tostore an online account token associated with an account of a first useron an online store; and a fingerprint sensing device operativelyconnected to the processing device, wherein the processing device isconfigured to: receive a first fingerprint image associated with asecond user from the fingerprint sensing device to authorize a purchaseon the online store by the first user; and countersign the onlineaccount token with user identifier data when the first fingerprint imagereceived from the second user matches a first reference fingerprintimage associated with the second user, wherein the countersigned onlineaccount token indicates the purchase on the online store is to becompleted.
 34. The system as in claim 33, wherein the processing deviceand the fingerprint sensing device are included in a single electronicdevice.
 35. The system as in claim 33, wherein the processing device isincluded in a first electronic device and the fingerprint sensing deviceis included in a second electronic device.
 36. The system as in claim33, wherein the processing device comprises a secure processing device.37. The system as in claim 33, wherein the user identifier datacomprises a universally unique identifier associated with thefingerprint sensing device.
 38. The system as in claim 33, wherein theuser identifier data comprises a data set identification associated withthe online store.
 39. The system as in claim 33, wherein the processingdevice is adapted to receive a second fingerprint image associated withthe first user from the fingerprint sensing device and countersign theonline account token with the user identifier data only when the firstfingerprint image received from the second user matches the firstreference fingerprint image and the second fingerprint image receivedfrom the first user matches a second reference fingerprint imageassociated with the first user.
 40. A method for a first user tocomplete a purchase transaction on an online store, the methodcomprising: receiving, from a first biometric sensing device in a firstelectronic device, a first biometric image associated with the firstuser; determining, by a processing device in the first electronicdevice, if the purchase by the first user requires authorization from asecond user; if authorization is required, receiving, from a secondbiometric sensing device in a second electronic device, a secondbiometric image associated with the second user; and countersigning, bythe processing device, an online account token with user identifier datawhen an identity of the first user and an identity of the second userare confirmed based on the first and second biometric images, whereinthe online account token is associated with an online account of thefirst user on the online store and the countersigned online accounttoken indicates the purchase on the online store is to be completed. 41.The method as in claim 40, further comprising transmitting thecountersigned account token to the online store.
 42. The method as inclaim 40, further comprising prior to receiving the second biometricimage, providing a notification regarding the need to authorize thepurchase on the online store.
 43. The method as in claim 42, wherein thenotification comprises at least one of the following: an identity of theonline store; a monetary amount of the purchase on the online store; aninput that permits the second user to limit an amount of money the firstuser can spend in the purchase; and an input that permits the seconduser to limit an amount of time the first user can spend on the onlinestore.
 44. The method as in claim 40, wherein the user identifier datacomprises a directory services identification associated with the onlinestore.
 45. The method as in claim 40, wherein the user identifier datacomprises a universally unique identifier associated with thefingerprint sensing device.
 46. The method as in claim 40, wherein thefirst and second biometric sensing devices each comprise a fingerprintsensing device and the first and second biometric images each comprise afingerprint image.